Most people, including myself, would have had this series being 3-1 the other way if you had asked us before the series had started who would be winning. The Texas Rangers used their bats and solid starting pitching, again, to hammer the Yankees 10-3 in game 4 of the ALCS in the Bronx. For the first time since game 1, the Yankees finally had a lead in a game and more importantly did not allow the Rangers a run in the first inning for the first time all series. It all meant nothing in the in end though.

It seems as if Joe Girardi lost this game when he left his starter, A.J. Burnett, in for a few pitches too long. The result was a 3 run bomb by Molina in the 6th inning and any momentum the Yankees had over the outfield fence with it. Burnett was ok up to that point. He held the Yanks in the game, but he should have been pulled earlier.

I won’t look back at that Lance Berkman missed home run as much more than what it is. A small missed opportunity. I believe the Umpires got the call right with the replay and shouldn’t have a bearing on this outcome. It all boils down to the fact that Yankees have been outplayed, out hit and out pitched this entire series by a Rangers team that seems to be fearless, especially on the road. Take away that bad inning by Texas in game 1 and this series should be over. The Rangers bullpen also needs alot of credit so far in this series for rebounding after that game 1 debacle and been effective in calming the Yankees bats late through games 2-4. Derek Holland may have earned himself a spot in the starting rotation if need be with those outings the past few games. Holland has been effective pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings of baseball in the ALCS, more so he has helped calm down this bullpen with those appearances.

This series is not over by a long shot but the Yankees could have been dealt a very serious blow as Mark Teixeira went down late in Game 4 with an apparent hamstring injury. Sources all say he is done for the post season. Take away a bat like Teixeira from what seems to be an already depleted Yankees team and it could be end the the Bronx Bombers before the World Series this year. Teixeira was 0/14 in the series so the law of averages would tell you that a guy with that talent was ready to break out in Game 5.

Look for C.C. Sabathia to get the Yankees back in the win column in this series tonight and send it back to Texas for Game 6. Anything less and we will wonder just how many people will actually be left in Yankee Stadium by the top of the 9th inning tonight?

SERIES NOTES:

- Mark Teixeira was 0-14 in the ALCS up until his injury

- The Texas Rangers now a perfect 5-0 on the road this post season

- Texas has outscored the Yankees 18-3 in the two games in the Bronx, including 14-0 after the 6th inning

GAME 5 PREVIEW

Game Info: ALCS Game 5 at Yankee Stadium @ 4:00pm

Pitching Probables: TEX C.J. Wilson @ NYY C.C. Sabathia

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Written by George Kouvalis
A huge fan of sports who loves to travel for major events. I've seen my fair share of major games and events including three Olympics, Wimbledon, The Masters etc.... Always up for a road trip or a drink to talk over sports or pro wrestling, in any city I am in or online. Favorite Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Bulls, San Francisco 49ers, Toronto Argonauts, Manchester United, and of course the teams I blog for, the Texas Rangers and Buffalo Sabres. Follow me on twitter at the handle georgekouvalis

Haven’t really addressed it in the past, mentioned him an article a few months ago and how the Rangers were high on Holland.
According to Yahoo Sports “RHP Rich Harden became a free agent after clearing waivers. Harden was designated for assignment last week when the Rangers claimed RHP Ryan Tucker on waivers from Florida”

I am guessing the real reason for his release is that he hasn’t been healthy in quite some time and the emergence of Tommy Hunter and Derek Holland made Harden expendable. He did sign a one year $6.5 million dollar deal with a club option for a 2nd year. Guess the Rangers felt he wouldn’t fit their future plans would be my guess for the release.

The timing was odd. Rarely if ever do you see a playoff team cutting a veteran as they begin the Division Series, no matter how he’s performing. They at least keep him around for the ride so long as he is liked and respected by all parties involved. I figured there was something going on behind the scenes a la Sidney Ponson a couple of years ago.

Thanks for answering quickly; I’ve asked other writers questions about their teams and been totally ignored.